Stacked Rapid Sand Filtration
Introduction
A stacked rapid sand filtration unit is preferable to a conventional rapid sand filtration unit as it requires less water to back wash since the filters are stacked, and use the same water for all filter layers to back wash. In addition, a stacked filtration system requires a much smaller footprint to achieve the same level of filtration.
A vertically stacked filtration system meets many of the AguaClara Project constraints. Both normal filtration and back wash operations are gravity driven and require no electricity. In additon, it is an open system. The required construction materials(PVC pipes, sand, concrete, brick, and rebar) are relatively cheap and available in Honduras. Most importantly, stacked rapid sand filtration is proven to consistently lower the effluent to below 1 NTU. A stacked rapid sand filtration unit is preferable to a conventional rapid sand filtration unit as it requires less water to back wash since the filters are stacked, and use the same water for all filter layers to back wash. In addition, a stacked filtration system requires a much smaller footprint to achieve the same level of filtration.
For more information, please see the explanation of stacked rapid sand filtration theory and unit design,Field Implementation and the General Filtration Page.
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Filtration Unit Design
It is necessary to design a filtration unit that can be built at our existing water treatment plants, and be incorporated into future plant designs. This includes a hydraulic analysis to calculate the critical elevations for how the filter fits in with the sedimentation tank effluent weir and the distribution tank. This analysis must be done using the approach for the design tool with correctly named variables, and with the standard inputs of flow rate and then automated design of the filter system. This automated design must include full hydraulic design of all of the piping required.
Past Research
Summer 2010
Built initial bench scale model and initialized proof of concept.
Figure 1: Vertically Stacked Filtration Unit Design
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